Ex-cricketer no more

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Sudhir Das

Former Bihar all-rounder Sudhir Das passed away at the age of 85 at his Kadma residence on Sunday.

Das, who was ailing for some years, breathed his last at about 7.40am. His body has been kept at the morgue of Tata Main Hospital. The former cricketer will be cremated once his daughters Lily Nandi and Shelly Sinha, both based in the US, reach the steel city.

According to Arunava Das, nephew of the deceased cricketer, Das had suffered a paralytic stroke eight years ago. “But my uncle had regained his fitness. He ate and moved around himself. He suffered a mild stroke three days back and breathed his last on Sunday morning,” he added.

Das, who was also a Bihar Ranji coach, played 57 first-class matches and scored 2486 runs at an average of 26.44. He took 114 wickets at an average of 26.40. Das also represented East Zone in Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy.

Besides being a willow warrior, Das also donned Bihar jerseys in football.

“The passing away of Sudhir Das is an irreparable loss for Jharkhand cricket. He was a firm believer in discipline. His contribution to cricket cannot be forgotten anytime soon,” said B.N. Singh, former vice-president of Jharkhand State Cricket Association.

Paying condolence to Das, ex-Ranji player Jittu Patel said the city would always remember him as a fighting cricketer who devoted his life for the game. “His contribution is immense,” he added.